The Five-Cross Files : Farm Facilities

Horse Board -- Pasture vs. Stall

sgillies — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:54:00 GMT

A recent study finds that one choice is better than the other for overall equine health....(read more)

Mare Care at the Boarding Farm

sgillies — Wed, 27 May 2009 03:52:00 GMT

I had great experiences sending my mares off to out-of-state breeding sheds. But not everyone is so lucky.......(read more)

5 Easy Ways to Improve a Broodmare's Life

sgillies — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:13:00 GMT

They're asked to produce and nurture a new crop of runners every year. But what is the quality of life of the average Thoroughbred broodmare? Here are five tips to making your mares' lives better....(read more)

Hay You Guys

sgillies — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:52:00 GMT

It's been a rough year for a lot of horse owners, with hay prices reaching record levels -- and that's if you can find any available. In addition to bemoaning the situation, I'm trying to figure out a way to avoid the same problem next year....(read more)

8 Tips for a Good Broodmare Barn

sgillies — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:15:00 GMT

The broodmare stall and barn make a big difference to the comfort and safety of your mare and newborn foal. Here are 8 tips to keep in mind when designing or renovating your facilities....(read more)

Too Much Winter

sgillies — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:20:00 GMT

Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike winter. I grew up in the Northeast and Lexington is mild in comparison. And the horses like the cold much better than the sweaty mess of July or August in the Bluegrass. But this time of year brings other annoyances and frustrations, as well. My horses tell me when I've gone a little shy on the hay or beet pulp. They do so by chewing... everything. It's bad enough when they gnaw on the fence boards, but it's dire when they whittle the posts down to toothpicks or when they go after the lap boards on the barn. Of course, hay isn't cheap -- this year, it's not even easy to find -- and there's only so much beet pulp a horse is going to want to eat. ...(read more)